Gimenez finally confirmed his intentions after public statements that he was strongly “considering” the move during recent weeks. Then last week, Doral Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez joined the potential slate but not until the next regular election Mayor’s race in 2012.

By the way, Bermudez is probably best known in our neck of the woods for joining two Southwest Dade mayors to battle and successfully overturn the “mitigation” fees imposed by the county during the past decade on newly-incorporated cities.

Meanwhile, after an appearance at the Kendall Federation of Homeowners Association February 7, Mayor Alvarez continues to steadfastly defend himself at local community audiences. He’ll address the Cutler Bay Business Association at Palmetto Bay Village Center February 10 and give his annual “State of the County” address on Wednesday, February 16 to County Commissioners.

Uncertainty dogs the path of those would next become the administrative head of our county since we won’t know until the 2011 “Ides” of March 15 whether or not Alvarez is recalled in the first place. (Most give him little chance of surviving the public anger over raising administrative salaries while imposing a tax hike).

If the Mayor is recalled, the Commission has the option of appointing an interim Mayor until the November 2012 election, or calling a special election to fill the vacancy for what would amount to about 18 months.

Thus unless Alvarez survives, the next three-ring circus will occur in the Commission Chambers after the Ides of March in 2011, when our pols begin making official moves to see who gets the best shot at his vacated seat.

If you know these songs and sing them or play them on an instrument, please call Barry White at 305-505-9011: “A Bird in a Gilded Cage,” “Cubanola Glide,” “Wait ‘Til The Sun Shines Nellie,” “Old King Tut,” “All Alone,” “Mariutch,” “I Love My Wife, But Oh You Kid!,” “They Always Pick On Me,” “I Want A Girl Just Like The Girl Who Married Dear Old Dad,” among others. Barry is president of the Folk Club of South Florida, Inc., that holds monthly “Song Swaps” in our area and may need those lyrics for its upcoming session February 13, at Holly White’s home in Continental Park. For details, ring up Barry.

Turnpike users! To dismantle cash toll booths, the eastbound SW 8th Street Exit ramp for southbound traffic on the ‘Pike Extension’ was closed February 4 and will not re-open until Thursday, February 10. May effect driving plans for those using that exit for FIU-located events although Kendall folks who are northbound can apparently still use that exit to the University grounds.

Distressed to hear that the State of Florida no longer considers the preserved Barnacle Home in Coconut Grove an essential “state park” for continued support under our new Governor’s regime. That’s just what we need: ridding ourselves of historic showplaces to build more townhome conclaves. Who is responsible for this idiocy, Governor Scott?

Which leads us to remind folks of the St. Stephen’s Art Show in the Grove that will introduce a unique art exhibit February 19- 21. St. Stephen’s as a 100-year Grove ‘resident’ annually holds the non-profit event which is ranked tops in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine. This year’s show features an idea of Ava Salavar, age 10, to help Miami’s homeless by auctioning a special group of paintings on sail cloths by local artists, made especially for the show.

Here’s a quarter, and let me check your TV hook-up

Sydney Rouviere, a talented village youngster, recently finished working on the Jason Bateman film, “The Change Up,” and will soon be acting in “The Tooth Fairy 2,” filming in Orlando, according to proud mom Jodi. But if you’re expecting Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the sequel to the popular Disney flick, don’t! New lead in this installment is none other than Larry the Cable Guy. Hmmm….that sounds like fun, too.

And in the “Ooops!” department, at the town hall meeting last Tuesday night, one long time resident (we won’t reveal his name here) criticized the village police commander for not getting the weekly crime statistics in the newspapers or posting them online for residents to see. Well, gee…those stats have been posted regularly on the official village website for the past several years, and also provided to the Herald. Sounds to us like somebody’s not visiting the website.

As January ended, we had three formally- announced candidates to replace Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez: Hialeah’s Mayor Julio Robaina, ex-State Rep. Marcelo Llorente and District 7 Comish Carlos Gimenez.

Gimenez finally confirmed his intentions after public statements that he was strongly “considering” the move during recent weeks. Then last week, Doral Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez joined the potential slate but not until the next regular election Mayor’s race in 2012.

By the way, Bermudez is probably best known in our neck of the woods for joining two Southwest Dade mayors (one in Palmetto Bay) to battle and successfully overturn the “mitigation” fees imposed by the county during the past decade on newly-incorporated cities.

Meanwhile, after an appearance at the Kendall Federation of Homeowners Association February 7, Mayor Alvarez continues to steadfastly defend himself at local community audiences. He’ll address the Cutler Bay Business Association at Palmetto Bay Village Center February 10 and give his annual “State of the County” address on Wednesday, February 16 to County Commissioners.

Distressed to hear that the State of Florida no longer considers the preserved Barnacle Home in Coconut Grove an essential “state park” for continued support under our new Governor’s regime. That’s just what we need: ridding ourselves of historic showplaces to build more townhome conclaves. Who is responsible for this idiocy, Governor Scott?

Which leads us to remind folks of the St. Stephen’s Art Show in the Grove that will introduce a unique art exhibit February 19-21. St. Stephen’s as a 100- year Grove ‘resident’ annually holds the non-profit event which is ranked tops in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine. This year’s show features an idea of Ava Salavar, age 10, to help Miami’s homeless by auctioning a special group of paintings on sail cloths by local artists, made especially for the show.

United HomeCare invites non-professional caregivers for frail elderly and/or disabled adults to visit the Caregiver Resource Center and partake in support groups, workshops, forums and lectures offered each month to build caregiving skills and engage caregivers in conversations about care planning, legal and financial issues, and management of chronic diseases. Weekly wellness and recreational therapy activities are also offered to help relieve caregiver stress and encourage self care. For more information or to register call 305-716-0710, or visit www.unitedhomecare.com.

Lots of things coming up in Cutler Bay this month

First off, there’s the Fifth Annual Founder’s Day Celebration on February 19th, which promises to be another fun-filled day at Cutler Ridge Park for the whole family… and of course the Fifth Annual Cutler Bay Food Fight, too. Don’t wear your good clothes for that one!

Then there’s the Town Hall Meeting on Saturday February 26th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with Representative Dwight Bullard at the Second Baptist Church, 11111 Pinkston Drive. Be there or be square, as we always say…

And don’t forget, time’s running out on filing an application for the Mom and Pop Small Business Grants the county is offering. For more info, visit the official town website at http://www.cutlerbay-fl.gov/

In your face? In this age of technology, Cutler Bay residents can now gain added accessibility to their elected representatives and keep tabs on what new and exciting things they’re up to by friending them on Facebook, or Yahoo or other social networking sites. Of course, that works both ways…

As January ended, we had three formally- announced candidates to replace Miami- Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez: Hialeah’s Mayor Julio Robaina, ex-State Rep. Marcelo Llorente and District 7 Comish Carlos Gimenez.

Gimenez finally confirmed his intentions after public statements that he was strongly “considering” the move during recent weeks. Then last week, Doral Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez joined the potential slate but not until the next regular election Mayor’s race in 2012.

By the way, Bermudez is probably best known in our neck of the woods for joining two Southwest Dade mayors (one in Palmetto Bay) to battle and successfully overturn the “mitigation” fees imposed by the county during the past decade on newly incorporated cities.

Meanwhile, after an appearance at the Kendall Federation of Homeowners Association February 7, Mayor Alvarez continues to steadfastly defend himself at local community audiences. He’ll address the Cutler Bay Business Association at Palmetto Bay Village Center February 10 and give his annual “State of the County” address on Wednesday, February 16 to County Commissioners.

Distressed to hear that the State of Florida no longer considers the preserved Barnacle Home in Coconut Grove an essential “state park” for continued support under our new Governor’s regime. That’s just what we need: ridding ourselves of historic showplaces to build more townhome conclaves. Who is responsible for this idiocy, Governor Scott?

Which leads us to remind folks of the St. Stephen’s Art Show in the Grove that will introduce a unique art exhibit February 19-21. St. Stephen’s as a 100-year Grove ‘resident’ annually holds the non-profit event which is ranked tops in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine. This year’s show features an idea of Ava Salavar, age 10, to help Miami’s homeless by auctioning a special group of paintings on sail cloths by local artists, made especially for the show.

United HomeCare invites non-professional caregivers for frail elderly and/or disabled adults to visit the Caregiver Resource Center and partake in support groups, workshops, forums and lectures offered each month to build care-giving skills and engage caregivers in conversations about care planning, legal and financial issues, and management of chronic diseases. Weekly wellness and recreational therapy activities are also offered to help relieve caregiver stress and encourage self care. For more information or to register call 305-716-0710, or visit www.unitedhomecare.com.

About the Author

Michael co-owns Community Newspapers with his brother Grant and serves as Executive Editor of the group of newspapers. He enjoys writing about local politics and area businesses. Michael can be reached at michael@communitynewspapers.com